Carmina Burana, the staged cantata by Carl Orff, is a work unique in musical history, claims conductor Paavo Jarvi: 'The convergence of medieval texts with such daringly original orchestral colours creates a soundworld that is both archaic and yet beyond time, in which chorus, orchestra and soloists vie in splendour.' The work also has an unusual history: composed shortly after the Nazi takeover of Germany, it was at first rejected because of it's Latin texts and the erotic character of some of it's songs; yet Orff and his work subsequently became highly prized by the Reich. The composer (who was secretly 'a quarter Jewish') did not support the regime, but made the best of his success... Orff was 42 by the time he experienced this breakthrough with his Carmina, which he designated as his Op. 1, disowning all his previous compositions. Departing from the Romantic style, he now wanted to create music linked to rhythm, simple repeated melodies, and non-complex forms. This work's popular success confirmed that decision.
1 Carmina Burana-Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi. O Fortuna
2 Carmina Burana-Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi. Fortune Plango Vulnera
3 Carmina Burana-I. Primo Vere. Veris Leta Facies
4 Carmina Burana-I. Primo Vere. Omnia Sol Temperat
5 Carmina Burana-I. Primo Vere. Ecce Gratum
6 Carmina Burana-Uf Dem Anger. Tanz
7 Carmina Burana-Uf Dem Anger. Floret Silva
8 Carmina Burana-Uf Dem Anger. Chramer, Gip Die Varwe Mir
9 Carmina Burana-Uf Dem Anger. Reie / Swaz Hie Gat Umbe / Chume, Chum, Geselle Min / Swaz Hie Gat Umbe
10 Carmina Burana-Uf Dem Anger. Were Diu Welt Alle Min
11 Carmina Burana-II. in Taberna. Estuans Interius
12 Carmina Burana-II. in Taberna. Olim Lacus Colueram
13 Carmina Burana-II. in Taberna. Ego Sum Abbas
14 Carmina Burana-II. in Taberna. in Taberna Quando Sumus
15 Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours. Amor Volat Undique
16 Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours. Dies, Nox Et Omnia
17 Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours. Stetit Puella
18 Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours. Circa Mea Pectora
19 Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours. Si Puer Cum Puellula
20 Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours. Veni, Veni, Venias
21 Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours. in Trutina
22 Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours. Tempus Est Iocundum
23 Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours. Dulcissime
24 Carmina Burana-Blanziflor Et Helena. Ave Formosissima
25 Carmina Burana-Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi. O Fortuna
Carmina Burana, the staged cantata by Carl Orff, is a work unique in musical history, claims conductor Paavo Jarvi: 'The convergence of medieval texts with such daringly original orchestral colours creates a soundworld that is both archaic and yet beyond time, in which chorus, orchestra and soloists vie in splendour.' The work also has an unusual history: composed shortly after the Nazi takeover of Germany, it was at first rejected because of it's Latin texts and the erotic character of some of it's songs; yet Orff and his work subsequently became highly prized by the Reich. The composer (who was secretly 'a quarter Jewish') did not support the regime, but made the best of his success... Orff was 42 by the time he experienced this breakthrough with his Carmina, which he designated as his Op. 1, disowning all his previous compositions. Departing from the Romantic style, he now wanted to create music linked to rhythm, simple repeated melodies, and non-complex forms. This work's popular success confirmed that decision.
